Two boys have cleaned up the community area in Etwall to apologise for their actions.

The teenagers, both aged 15 were suspected of starting a fire in two large commercial bins outside Etwall Library in April and also in the public toilets in Etwall back in May.

They admitted causing the fires and in agreement with the local parish, the youngsters and their parents, a Restorative Justice disposal was proposed by officers from the local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team.

The boys as part of their punishment agreed to spend two hours litter picking the community areas in Etwall on Monday, July 21.

They will also attend several sessions with a pre courts team to help them understand the consequences of their actions and how it affects other people.

Restorative Justice sees offenders apologise for their crime and help repair any damage or carry out community work instead of going through the courts.

Ultimately the victim of any crime has to agree to the process and be happy with the outcome.

PCSO Waite of the Etwall, Hilton and Hatton Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This is a great example of having a system in place that works for everyone.

“They were very co-operative and owned up to what they had done and were keen to put it right.

“They carried out their punishment with respect, and the respective parents of each child were fully supportive of the action taken.

“Hopefully it will prevent any further trouble from them, now they realise what could have happened and that a conviction on their record has been avoided.”

Restorative Justice was brought in by police in April 2009 to enable officers to use their professional judgment to resolve minor crimes swiftly and in accordance with the victims’ wishes.

The crime is recorded as usual but dealt with in a more proportionate way, without the case going through the court process.